Toyota announced last week that the Lexus CT 200h luxury hybrid will be released in the first quarter of 2011. The CT 200h incorporates innovative drive options and eco-friendly components to stay in line with Toyota offerings like the Prius. The highlight of this announcement was the projected 42 miles per gallon rating offered by Toyota. This latest Lexus model will fit well into the European market thanks to significant reductions in nitrogen oxide compared to other sedans.

The Lexus CT 200h features a 1.8-liter, 73 kW gas engine, a NiMH battery pack and a 60kWh electric motor. Toyota is incorporating its Ultra-Low Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) engine design to reduce noise pollution. The typical starter motor is swapped out in favor of a generator and Power Control Unit designed to start the engine electronically. Drivers will be able to reduce wasted energy with heating and air conditioning controlled for each quadrant in the cockpit. The exhaust heat recirculation system uses stored heat to get engines up to operating temperatures quickly in winter.

The drive system in the Lexus CT 200h can operate in several modes depending on driving demands. The CT 200h runs entirely on battery power at startup as well as low speeds. The engine shuts down entirely during full stops with the generator restarting the engine when the light turns green. Drivers traveling at moderate speeds benefit from electric motors and engines working in unison. Toyota also notes that this hybrid can utilize all of its power when the SPORT mode is activated.

Toyota took great care to incorporate green elements throughout the Lexus CT 200h. The front, rear and backup lights use LED bulbs to reduce electrical demands. The sound system in the CT 200h uses speakers made from bamboo resin and fibers. Toyota is also ensuring that bumpers and interior elements of this Lexus model can be recycled rather than being dropped in city dumps.

This latest development for Toyota brings up some mixed reactions for green vehicle fans. The CT 200h’s projected fuel mileage is good for a Lexus but is slight based on Toyota’s hybrid history. Toyota may be able to corner the luxury hybrid market for now but its efforts may be better spent in attracting value-minded consumers. The Lexus CT 200h looks good and includes great features but Toyota needs to push the envelope to compete with the rest of the market.

An oft-discussed element of the hybrid vehicle market is the problem of affordable pricing. Automakers have struggled to keep hybrid vehicle prices in line with traditional retail prices. This challenge has been taken up by Ford subsidiary Lincoln as it prepares to release the 2011 MKZ Hybrid. Lincoln representatives have stated that the 2011 MKZ Hybrid will be priced the same as the traditional MKZ sedan. This price parity would make Lincoln the first auto brand to not add a premium to its hybrid vehicles.

The 2011 MKZ and the MKZ Hybrid will be priced from $35,180 when they hit showrooms this fall. Lincoln has compared this price parity with the price premium charged on the 2011 Lexus HS 250h. This luxury sedan will be priced from $35,100 for the standard model and $37,870 for the hybrid. The comparison with the 2011 Lexus HS 250h is Lincoln’s way of attracting luxury-minded consumers interested in hybrid bargains.

We can look at other automakers to find that hybrids are often significantly more expensive than traditional vehicles. The 2010 Honda Civic featured an MSRP of $15,655 for the standard model and $23,800 for the hybrid model. The 2011 Toyota Camry will be priced from $19,595 while its hybrid counterpart has an MSRP of $26,400. Lincoln’s parent company Ford has its share of problems with price parity. The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid started at $29,860 while the standard Ford Escape was priced from $21,020.

The price parity issue would be meaningless if the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid was not a substantial upgrade over previous models. This hybrid sedan is powered by a 2.5-liter I-4 hybrid engine that could be used in other Ford and Lincoln models. The Lincoln hybrid system uses electrical power at speeds up to 47 miles per hour to reduce fuel consumption. The 2011 MKZ Hybrid has a fuel mileage rating of 41 miles per gallon, a slight improvement over the HS 250H’s 32 miles per gallon rating.

Lincoln’s move to equalize hybrid and standard vehicle pricing is beneficial for a few reasons. Price parity will show consumers that there need not be financial barriers to buying a luxurious hybrid. This move by Lincoln also puts the brand at the lead of a consumer-friendly approach to hybrid pricing. Ford demonstrates that it has refined production processes enough to pursue price parity with the upcoming MKZ Hybrid release without sacrificing profits.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) recently released a plan for EV charging uniformity within the next decade. This two-phase plan would set standards for EV infrastructure in terms of vehicle plug-in units as well as charging systems. The ACEA is pushing for widespread adoption of Mode 2 and Mode 3 EV connectors to accommodate current electrical grids throughout Europe. These EV connectors would allow for standard and expedited charging in the next generation of vehicles. At present, EV drivers around the world confront issues with different connectors including reduction of charge efficiency and increased safety concerns.

The first phase of this EV charging plan includes provisions for flexible vehicle inlets, public charging and home charging. All of the automakers agreed to include plugs with new EVs to handle Mode 2 (household charging) as well as Mode 3 (public charging). Charging system suppliers will be asked to include both types of electrical sockets in each unit to accommodate a majority of EV drivers. The ACEA also wants to certify that home charging units are safe by asking for certification by an independent party prior to regular use.

As the EV market develops by 2017, ACEA will initiate the second phase of its EV infrastructure plan. European automakers intend to move toward uniformity in EV charging systems, vehicle inlets and grid operations. This uniformity would start by mandating that all new EVs after 2017 only include Mode 3 vehicle inlets to reflect similar mandates for public and home charging. Both phases of the plan ensure that early adopters can find public charging for their units even as future EV owners access the next generation of charging systems.

The ACEA plan carries weight largely due to the organization’s roster of industry heavyweights. This industry organization includes leading automakers like Volkswagen, Volvo, Renault and Peugeot Citroen. While participation by utilities and suppliers is necessary, the ACEA serves enough consumers to force quick advancement in EV charging infrastructure. The two-phase infrastructure plan seems cumbersome at first blush but it is necessary to meet the needs of the first two generations of EV users. ACEA recognizes at once the need for a dynamic transportation system along with the uniformity necessary for safe use of electric vehicles.

Lexus has been trotting around a compact hybrid called the CT200h at the auto show circuit this year. The CT200h made its premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and will be featured at the upcoming 2010 New York International Auto Show. Far from a novel prototype, the Lexus CT200h is intended for introduction in the United States by fall 2011. Lexus has combined its Hybrid Drive Technology system with innovative drive modes and brake systems to create a fuel-efficient hybrid.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system combines a 1.8-liter gas engine with an electric motor, generator and NIMH battery pack. The electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) allows the CT200h to shift seamlessly from one gear to another without wasting fuel. Lexus built the electronic components so that they could fit in a small space next to the engine.

Lexus added four drive options so CT200h drivers can complement their driving tendencies. The Normal mode matches the performance of comparable Lexus models in terms of engine power and fuel consumption. Sports car enthusiasts flip to the Sports mode to increase engine output with a little help from the NIMH battery and generator. The Eco mode in the CT200h decreases power to air conditioning and other auxiliary systems to increase fuel economy. The CT200h can travel up to a mile on all-electric power at a speed of 28 miles per hour in the EV mode.

CT200h drivers will stay safe thanks to the myriad safety features built around the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Each set of brakes is monitored by an electronic brake distribution (EBD) system. The EBD system then adjusts brake pressure to handle inclement weather without slipping and sliding. The Brake Assist (BA) system used in the Lexus CT200h adds greater force to the brakes when the brake pedal is pushed to the floor. The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system connects with the EBD and ABS systems to adjust engine output and throttle control to handle the worst of road conditions.

We will learn more about the Lexus CT200h as the New York International Auto Show progresses. Based on the early previews of the model, Lexus has blended hybrid driving, safety and handling in an attractive package for consumers. The alphabet soup of safety and handling features in this hybrid model are designed to keep passengers safe while keeping an eye on fuel economy. The Lexus CT200h will help the automaker make headway in the luxury hybrid market starting in fall 2011.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is falling into line with the parent company’s focus on greener vehicles with the 2010 LS600h hybrid sedan. The LS600h was introduced by Lexus back in 2006 but did not reflect Toyota’s advances in hybrid technology at the time. The 2010 model keeps the past model’s body design but a closer peek at this luxury vehicle reveals a world of changes.

The 2010 Lexus LS600h features a 5.0-liter V8 engine along with a 165kW electric motor to facilitate hybrid driving. The V8 engine does not skimp on the type of power familiar to Lexus drivers with a maximum output of 439 horsepower. The 0-60 MPH time of 6.3 seconds touted by Lexus representatives show that the LS600h packs a punch. Lexus also highlighted the low carbon dioxide emissions produced by the LS600h, which appeals to European consumers hemmed in by Euro V emission standards. We should not place the LS600h on par with the fuel-efficient Toyota Prius based on its projected 25 miles per gallon fuel rating. The LS600h is packed with energy-savings features that could mean greater fuel savings in future models.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system’s Eco Mode plays around with gear shifts, ventilation and other energy drains to reduce fuel consumption. Lexus split apart the 20 battery units into front and rear compartments to free up more space for cargo in the rear seats and trunk. The LS600h features an air recirculation mode with its ventilation system to rely on air flow and low-energy cooling at temperatures above 68 degrees. This system balances an air blower with a traditional AC unit to reduce energy consumption in warmer climates.

Lexus also tweaked the acceleration and braking on the LS600h to create the best ride possible for its customers. The engine computer in the LS600h moderates acceleration and gear shifts automatically to keep fuel mileage steady. The LS600h features Brembo front-disc brakes and pads to remove the squeaks and groans of braking from day-to-day driving. Lexus and its parent company have turned the LS600h from a stylish sedan to the next step in the brand’s green-vehicle development.

According to the EDTA, 235,283 hybrid cars and trucks have been sold in the United States through September 2008. The leader in sales figures in the hybrid market is Toyota with the industry-leading Prius selling 130,561 in nine months. Toyota has also sold 39,418 Camry hybrids and 16, 572 Highlander hybrids during the same period.

Honda has leveled the most serious challenge to Toyota’s hybrid sales dominance with its Civic hybrid selling 27,597 units in 2008. Lexus has demonstrated that its high-end reputation could be translated to the hybrid market by selling 12,498 units of the 400h so far this year. In contrast, General Motors has only moved 7,096 of its hybrids thus far as its hybrid vehicle program is in its infancy.

Several factors play into the 2008 sales figures for hybrid cars and trucks. Every motorist looks at price when hunting for a fuel-efficient vehicle with overpriced newcomers scrutinized more heavily than established hybrids. The eighth-generation Prius retails for $21,500 while the 2009 GMC Tahoe hybrid has an MSRP of $44,190. The Lexus 400h is in its third model year and offers premium features for $43,480 MSRP, coming in short of the GMC Tahoe and just past the GMC Yukon hybrid ($41, 265).

The price tag is but one element of a consumer’s decision to buy a hybrid car. Automakers like Toyota and Honda have reputations for producing fuel-efficient vehicles while General Motors is seen as a culprit of the oversized SUV trend in the late 1990s. Toyota has a sizable Prius inventory that allows drivers to take advantage of federal tax credits for purchasing hybrid cars. The company has been able to reach the 60,000-vehicle mark needed to close out this tax credit the last two years. The final determinant in the purchase of a hybrid vehicle is performance. While Toyota, Honda and Lexus are working toward highly efficient vehicles, General Motors seems to be struggling to keep its old truck/SUV lines while improving fuel efficiency.

Toyota’s Prius maintained its status as the gold standard for hybrid vehicles over the last year. There were 21,757 Prius models sold in the United States through April 2008, which was a 67 percent increase since April 2007. This popular model has been purchased 514,000 times since 2004 and 680,000 since its introduction in the United States. The introduction of the much-acclaimed 2009 Toyota Prius this summer should push these figures upward through April 2009.

The Toyota brand continued its domination of the hybrid market with increased sales of the Camry and Highlander hybrid. The Camry hybrid sedan improved 51 percent over last year’s sales figures and claimed 16.7 percent of all Camry sales. There were 2,578 Highlander hybrid SUVs sold over the last 12 months, which took up 25 percent of all Highlanders driven off Toyota lots.

The largesse for hybrid vehicles was not uniform across the American auto market. The Lexus Gs 450h sold 82 units during the sales period, which was a decrease of 53 percent from April 2007. This decrease can be explained by the high price of the vehicle as well as the premium niche carved out by Lexus. The Honda Accord hybrid dropped 92 percent in terms of sales while the Ford Escape and Mariner hybrids plummeted 16 percent over the last 12 months.

These latter sales figures expose a significant problem in the American hybrid vehicle market. Producers like Ford and General Motors are creating hybrid models in extremely limited numbers to gain public favor without making major investments. Toyota’s volume of hybrid cars and SUVs as well as the company’s commitment to improving hybrid models like Prius has gone a long way toward generating consumer support. The failure by American auto manufacturers to invest in hybrid vehicles beyond trial hydrogen and biodiesel programs will continue to increase the market share taken by outside companies like Toyota and Honda.